No one outside of North Haven's locker room thought it would beat Xavier on Friday. That's a factual statement, not some over-the-top nonsense folks say whenever a team springs a big upset.

North Haven has made itself into a consistent winner the past seven seasons. It has a 50-24 record and made states three times, the only postseason appearances in program history. It also runs the stupendous single wing, i.e. GOD'S FATHER'S OFFENSE.

North Haven isn't Xavier, though. Xavier had won 39 of its previous 40 games prior to Friday (including last year's 49-12 win over North Haven). It's owned the CIAC's Class LL division and won a state record three-straight crowns. It was ranked No. 1 in The Day coaches' poll and second in the New Haven Register's media poll.

And? So? High school sports are about dreaming big. It's pushing past one's limits and doing things they didn't think they could. It's about beginning each year believing you're going to win states, even after a losing season.

North Haven believed in itself and pulled off one of the biggest WHAT upsets in years. It dropped 21 points on the Falcons in the fourth quarter, for Paul Brown's sake.

"Everyone said we couldn't," North Haven senior Ethan Suraci told Pooch Diggity Dogg of JRC Amalgamated. "For nine months, since last November, we've been playing for this very moment. We love playing on a big stage. In the pregame, we said that we didn't need anyone else (to believe); we didn't need the state of Connecticut, the SCC, we don't need anybody. We have ourselves; we have our (football) brothers. We played for our family."

One more thing about the Vazzano-Pederson Connection — they teamed up for a 6-yard touchdown to end the first half.

End the first half with a touchdown. End the game with a Hail Mary. Not too shabby.

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Hey, Naugatuck — how do you like BRUNO BALL?

The affable Craig Bruno brought his special brand of mas loco football over from Bunnell of Stratford during the offseason. Among the characteristics of Bruno Ball are throwing deep out of your end zone, going for it on fourth down, and trying every play once, no matter how daffy it might seem.

Bruno and his Greyhounds broke in their new turf field in style Friday night. Quarterback Jason Bradley ran for a 3-yard touchdown in overtime to give Naugatuck a 42-36 win over Wolcott at Veterans Field.